There is some serious satisfaction to be had when you plug in your newly rebuilt electronic component (realizing your rebuild is based on a “shotgun in the dark” approach) and it fires up and operates like a boss.

One tool I need to invest in (badly) is a nice oscilloscope.

It’s a miracle I’ve been able to repair as much as I have in the past 2-1/2 decades without using an o-scope!

The Rigol DS1054 is a great value for shop use at $350. Definitely get a 4 channel model, just debugging encoders uses 3 channels. Don't buy an old clunker. Get a newer one that you can screen capture and share here if you have questions.
Of course, I'd prefer a $25k LeCroy, but that isn't as "disposable" as the Rigol.
-Tony

They don’t call me the ToolCat for nothing, brought this little stray home last week:

She was living in an old abandoned cabin out back from the girlfriend’s condo, and I first saw her about a week earlier while walking SWMBO’d near-blind little kitty Owen (yes he walks like a dog, stays right with you, injured as a kitten, sweet as can be.)

I’ve had two tom-kitty brothers for about 10 years now, (first 5 at the shop, last 5 here at the house ):

I lost my little female named Sabrina last year, had her for almost 15 years:

So, it only made sense to bring this luvable little stray home — she is adjusting well. Going to vet next week for fixin’...still no name yet

The Rigol DS1054 is a great value for shop use at $350. Definitely get a 4 channel model, just debugging encoders uses 3 channels. Don't buy an old clunker. Get a newer one that you can screen capture and share here if you have questions.
Of course, I'd prefer a $25k LeCroy, but that isn't as "disposable" as the Rigol.
-Tony

Thanks for posting this. I've been looking for a scope for doing repairs on my own cnc equipment.
These do look like a great deal.

I like reading your threads as well as some others.
funny about the Cats. We have a 27 year old son with Down syndrome. Since the China cough we took him out of all his activites as well as his Job with the city( they shut down). Anyway Wife decided he needed a cat at the shop with us as he works there also, figured he would learn to take care of it and stuff even though he has 3 at home and he would keep the mice away.
Anyway its his best friend and there like glue together when he is there. Anthony checks parts and the kitten helps and watches. When he goes home for the day he puts the chair in Front of the machine and the Cat watches the machine run for hours. doors open or closed he doesnt care. The more chips flying the more interested the cat is.
was filling up way lube the other day and spilled some on the floor. went and filled the machine came back to clean it up and he's drinking it. WTF? had to start keeping the pales high and out of reach as the cat licks the edges of it. Wife and Kid named him Alloy, should have Named him Way Lube.

Got another cat a few months ago, Wife was out front and this kitten staggered up to her, horribly abused tail broken in 3 places, left eyeball hanging out on her face, road rash everywhere from being tossed from a moving car is my guess. ASSHOLES that do this need the same treatment. Wife took it to the vet, they removed the eyeball and sewed it closed and whatever else they did for the 800.00+ they charged. Lots more than the .22 I was going to fix it with, but it was worth it. Friendliest cat I have ever seen. We call her stray cat, she will come when called like a dog.

I hate cats and my daughter's love them. We have a shop cat that stinks up the place. But it does keep the mice and spiders out so there's that. Everyone seems to want to kill the snakes when they get in to eat the mice.

ABOUT Practical Machinist

With more than 10.6 million unique visitors over the last year, Practical Machinist is the most visited site for metalworking professionals. Practical Machinist is the easiest way to learn new techniques, get answers quickly and discuss common challenges with your peers. Register for the world’s largest manufacturing technology forum for free today to stay in the know.

This website or its third-party tools process personal data (e.g. browsing data or IP addresses) and use cookies or other identifiers, which are necessary for its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. To learn more, please refer to the cookie policy.

In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by sending us an email via our Contact Us page.

To find out more about the categories of personal information collected and the purposes for which such information will be used, please refer to our privacy policy.

You accept the use of cookies or other identifiers by closing or dismissing this notice, by scrolling this page, by clicking a link or button or by continuing to browse otherwise.

The latest industry news—straight to your inbox

Sign up for our eNewsletter now to stay in-the-know. We'll bring you the most relevant peer-to-peer conversations happening in the trade and tips and tricks to help you get the job done.

Name:

Email:

Invalid email

I agree to receive emails from Practical Machinist containing industry news and updates from Practical Machinist and its sponsors. You may unsubscribe at any time.